Filter device

Abstract

A filter device for brewing beverages from coffee or tea grounds has a support frame comprising a first annular member and at least two radially outwardly projecting supports for placing the filter device onto a rim of a beverage container. The first annular member has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the beverage container. A disposable filter insert enclosing an amount of coffee grounds or tea leaves for brewing a beverage in the beverage container is provided. The filter insert has a seamless conical porous pocket for receiving the coffee grounds or tea leaves. The conical pocket has a cone base facing upwardly and a cone top facing downwardly. The filter insert also has a porous cover covering an opening at cone base. The pocket has finer pores than the cover. The cover sags downwardly and forms a depression. The pocket is folded from a flat sheet, having an oval or circular contour, by folding in opposite folding directions along at least two folding lines extending diametrically through the flat sheet and positioned at an angle of up to 45° to one another. The folding lines are secured against unfolding without using an adhesive by connecting at least the edges of the pocket and the cover to one another. The filter insert is annularly supported at the cone base by the annular member of the support frame such that the pocket is freely suspended from the support frame.

We claim: 
     
       1. A filter device (1) for brewing beverages (5) from coffee or tea grounds, said filter device comprising: a support frame (2) comprising a first annular member (6, 16) and at least two radially outwardly projecting supports (7) for placing said filter device onto a rim of a beverage container;   said first annular member (6, 16) having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the beverage container;   a disposable filter insert (3) enclosing an amount of coffee grounds or tea leaves for brewing a beverage in the beverage container;   said filter insert (3) comprising a seamless conical porous pocket (10) for receiving the coffee grounds or tea leaves, said conical pocket having a cone base facing upwardly and a cone top facing downwardly   said filter insert (3) further comprising a porous cover (11) covering an opening at said cone base;   said pocket (10) having finer pores than said cover (11);   said cover (11) sagging downwardly and forming a depression;   said pocket (10) being folded from a flat sheet, having an oval or circular contour, by folding said flat sheet in opposite folding directions along at least two folding lines (12, 13) extending diametrically through said flat sheet and positioned at an angle of up to 45° to one another;   said folding lines being secured against unfolding without using an adhesive by connecting at least the edges of said pocket (10) and said cover (11) to one another;   said filter insert (3) annularly supported at said cone base by said annular member of said support frame (2) such that said pocket (10) is freely suspended from said support frame (2).   
     
     
       2. A filter device according to claim 1, wherein said support frame (2) has a second annular member (17) arranged below said first annular member (16). 
     
     
       3. A filter device according to claim 2, wherein said at least two radially outwardly projecting supports (7) are connected to said second annular member (17). 
     
     
       4. A filter device according to claim 2, wherein said support frame (2) comprises connecting stays (18) connecting said first and said second annular members (16, 17). 
     
     
       5. A filter device according to claim 4, wherein said at least two radially outwardly projecting supports (7) are connected to said connecting stays (18). 
     
     
       6. A filter device according to claim 1, wherein said support frame has three of said radially outwardly projecting supports (7). 
     
     
       7. A filter device according to claim 1, wherein said at least two radially outwardly projecting supports are connected to said first annular member (6, 16). 
     
     
       8. A filter device according to claim 1, wherein said support frame (2) comprises an upward extension (21) connected to said first annular member (6, 16), said upward extension having a conical or cylindrical shape. 
     
     
       9. A filter device according to claim 1, wherein said pocket (10) and said cover (11) consist of a filter material. 
     
     
       10. A filter device according to claim 1, wherein said filter material is filter paper. 
     
     
       11. A filter device according to claim 1, wherein said cover (11) consists of large pore, long-fiber fleece material. 
     
     
       12. A filter device according to claim 1, wherein said edges of said pocket (10) and said cover (11) are connected to one another by crimping. 
     
     
       13. A filter device according to claim 1, wherein said angle between said folding lines (12, 13) is less than 30°. 
     
     
       14. A filter device according to claim 1, wherein said folding lines (12, 13) are secured against unfolding by crimping along an entire length of said folding lines (12, 13). 
     
     
       15. A filter device according to claim 1, wherein said flat sheet has an oval contour, having a long and a short axis, and wherein said folding lines (12, 13) extend in a direction of said long axis and end before a center point of said flat sheet such that said pocket (10) has a truncated cone shape. 
     
     
       16. A filter device according to claim 1, wherein said support frame (20 consists of a water-resistant recyclable material. 
     
     
       17. A filter device according to claim 1, wherein said support frame (2) is an injection-molded plastic part.